Warhorse Studios Linked to a Possible The Lord of the Rings RPG Project

Currently, there is a definite feeling that some development is underway, and that’s becoming increasingly clear with each piece of information revealed. Large publishers entering established series is nothing out of the ordinary nowadays. You’ve seen DICE work on Star Wars Battlefront and IO Interactive handle James Bond. Now, the focus seems to be shifting toward Warhorse Studios, the team behind Kingdom Come: Deliverance, with talk of a large The Lord of the Rings project.

Nothing has been officially confirmed yet. No clear announcement, no direct statement from anyone. Still, the surrounding details keep moving just enough to hold everyone’s attention. You’re hearing more about a possible The Lord of the Rings game tied to Warhorse Studios, and it’s not coming from a single random source. The information is appearing from different places at the same time, which is usually when things start to feel more believable.

The first mention traces back to a Polish podcast, where the claim originally came up.

According to that discussion, the studio is working on a large RPG that is internally connected to Middle-earth. Warhorse hasn’t officially confirmed that connection. What they have confirmed is that they’re developing a major RPG, and that part is already public.

With the reference made regarding Middle-earth, they did not refute it. They did not brush it off but remained very careful, which is what companies typically do when the subject matter is under NDA or has not yet been disclosed. With that, some additional information comes into the picture. Crystal Dynamics has already established itself as working on a different Middle-earth property. Therefore, the fact that multiple studios are developing within the same universe simultaneously is quite normal, considering that is how popular IP development works.

It should be noted that one small fact often comes up in discussions. Specifically, Tom McKay, who plays Henry in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, has recently shared that he wants to portray characters from the world of Middle-earth. Nevertheless, that, in itself, means nothing; timing is, however, important here.

Sources revealed that an additional The Lord of the Rings project is currently in development but has not yet gone public.

It may not directly reference Warhorse, but it goes a long way towards verifying the theory that there is a lot more happening behind closed doors in this franchise than meets the eye. When you analyze the implications for this game developer, the most intriguing element is the process by which this studio creates its games.

Unlike other studios, Warhorse does not create power fantasies. In Kingdom Come: Deliverance, players begin without anything, learning how to exist within this world bit by bit. Fighting can feel clunky and even tough initially. NPCs respond to your outfit, demeanor, and actions.

This approach to development would yield a drastically different game if applied to Middle-earth. No grand spectacles but more factions, politics, and basic struggles for survival instead. Your reputation would be crucial, travel would be slower and more difficult, and you would have to search for information rather than have it instantly available on the map. These changes would be enough, by themselves, to distinguish the project from other titles based on LotR lore.

It is even said that this potential project might try to avoid using the most recognizable moments of LotR. This would be in line with Warhorse’s abilities and inclinations, as they excel at creating smaller projects where mechanics and player choices take center stage.

At the same time, there are clear challenges.

One of the most critical concerns is the game's balance. Middle-earth is still a fantastic world and should retain its identity and magic. It will not be easy for Warhorse Studios to find the right balance between realism and fantasy. An excess of either would make the game less attractive to players.

Another factor is accessibility. The games from Warhorse Studios have been rather challenging to play, and at times deliberately difficult. This works well for a niche game, but The Lord of the Rings has broader appeal, which requires adjustments to the development process. There may be no compromise in the matter.

For now, no information has been officially confirmed. Everything is speculative, as the studio has not issued an official statement on the title. It leaves room for change, but at the same time nothing can be changed. Therefore, the reaction to this project is positive yet cautious.

And if it all works out well, then it may just be one of the most unique views of Middle-earth on the video gaming scene. But if not, it might be yet another concept that worked better in theory than in practice.

While it is definitely too early to tell, it is hard to say that it has been overlooked thus far. In any case, some conversations about the subject suggest that if the game does exist, it will be different from many others in scale.

Talk about more complex systems, such as dynamic reputation, faction relationships, and information gathering that goes beyond simple goals.

You won't just explore the world; you'll understand how it works and use that understanding to your advantage. Battles can work the same way as in Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which is known for slow-paced battles. You won’t just crush your foes without trying hard – everything you do will demand concentration and effort.

Finally, there are rumors about what kind of character you will control. While normally, when playing an RPG, you expect to take over the role of some kind of legendary hero, this time, it can happen otherwise. It may mean starting out with nothing and growing big, not in the way that everyone expects.

There are also indications that the project, if it exists, has been in development for some time. It’s for this reason that the company feels confident in announcing a major RPG even before releasing any information about it, since this is how they usually operate—moving at their own pace and working only on major titles.

On the other hand, such an ambitious plan could have downsides. On the one hand, it could turn out to be memorable; on the other hand, it could set unrealistic goals. Right now, it all remains vague.